A Snap Shot into our history

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The following are excerpts of our history from a book we published for our 100th celebration in 1987. We thank Robert Sheffer for his dedication in keeping track of events that have shaped our organization.

1887 - May 2 - A meeting was called to order by W.V. Hamilton for the purpose of organizing a Fire Co. At this time The Big Springs Hook & Ladder Co. was formed. On May 16th a constitution was ratified.  June 6th, An annual meeting was held to elect officers, W. V. Hamilton was elected foreman. On August 1st a truck was purchased from the Rumsey Co.

1891 - February 6 - A fire destroyed 18 businesses and 4 dwellings. At this time the Village was not run by a board and the Fire Company received little support. The editor of the local paper wrote that the economists of the day had forced the Fire Company to the wall as they had no money to even buy chemicals for their extinguishers. This was also the first time mutual aid was used as the Mumford Fire Dept. and the Avon Fire Dept. responded. Avon's Fire Dept. was sent by a special train on the Erie RR but arrived too late to be of much help.

1894 - March 2 - The Company was reorganized into the Hook & Ladder Co.  April 2, The old by-laws were accepted by the new company. At a meeting on September 3rd, they requested that the Town Board buy Acid and Soda for their extinguishers. They also requested that they be able to elect a Department Chief. At this time there was also a Chemical Hose Co. for which no records have been found. At this time it was agreed that 3 delegates from each company would be selected on the 1st Tuesday of April to elect a Dept. Chief on the 1st Thursday of April.

1897 - June 8 - The J.C. Tennant Hose Co.#1 was organized. At the 5th Annual Livingston County Fireman's Convention held at Geneseo, the J.C. Tennant Hose Co., Chemical Hose Co., and the Big Springs Hook & Ladder Co.#1 are mentioned in the convention pamphlet and in local newspaper articles. 

1900 - June 4 - The Annual Treasurers Report is signed by Chief W.V. Hamilton, which is the 1st Chief which appears in department records.

1902 - January 6 - The Fire Department moved to new quarters in the Tennant Block.

1910 - June 16 - The J.C. Tennant Hose Co. #1 received a letter from the Mayor requesting that they either reorganize the Company or disband. The Company reorganized. From 1899 to 1910 the Fire Dept. received $100.00 annually to operate on.

1920 - The Legion Hose Co. was organized. There have been no records found for this Company.

1926 - September 1 - A Ford Fire Truck was purchased for $600.00. This was the first motorized equipment the Fire Dept. owned. 

1928 - A Stiring Siren was purchased.

1931 - July 16 - The Big Springs Hook & Ladder Co. was disbanded and on July 20, 1931 the present day Hook & Ladder Co. was formed.

1936 - A Rural Fire District was organized. In December of 1936, The Legion Hose Co. was disbanded.

1937 - January 1 - The present day Big Springs Pumper Co. became active. On June 23 thru 26, 1937 the Fire Dept. held it's 1st annual carnival or field days on the old school grounds behind the present Fire Hall. A Fire Council was also formed by the Dept. The custom of the 1st Asst. Chief coming from the Company opposite the Dept. Chief was also set during this year.

1939 - A Dept. First Aid Squad was formed.

1942 - January - The Hook & Ladder Co. purchased an old hearse and converted it into an ambulance and started one of the first Ambulance Services in New York State.

1942 - The Big Springs Pumper Co. started an Inhalator Service.

1943 - The position of Honorary Chief was started.

1945 - The first tanker in the county was built by the Dept. (Old George)

1947 - The Big Springs Pumper Co. purchased a 1941 Packard to be used as an emergency car. The Caledonia Firemen's Benevolent Association was also started this year.

1948 - The Fire Dept. joined the New York State Fireman's Association(FASNY).

1950 - The Fire Dept. joined the Livingston County Mutual Aid System.

1952 - The Hook & Ladder Ambulance was answering calls from Avon, Bergen, Chili, Churchville, Clifton, Garbutt, Fowlerville, East Avon, LeRoy, Riga, York and Scottsville. During the year they answered 116 calls.

1954 - The Fire Police were organized. This was the year the Dept. started an annual corn roast. This was also the year the Fire Chief appointed the Department Instructors.

1955 - The Ladies Auxiliary was formed for the Department. The Ladies of the Hook & Ladder had formed an Auxiliary in 1943 which is the forerunner of the present Department Auxiliary. A new radio was purchased for the standby room so the Dept. could participate in the Mutual Aid Program.

1957 - Fire Phones were installed to start our system of answering calls

1959 - June 15 - The Village residents voted to approve a new Fire Hall and Village building. The Fire Dept. moved into the hall April 1, 1960, and we are still located there to this day.

1966 - May - The Fire Dept. started a Babysitters Course. This course is still being taught today and many youngsters have benefitted through the years.

1971 - The Fire Department incorporated.

1975 - December - The Hook & Ladder formed an Ambulance Auxiliary which opened the way for women to work on the Ambulance.

1977 - The Department purchased land with the hopes of building a recreation hall in the future.

1978 - The Hook & Ladder Ambulance and the Big Springs Pumper Emergency Car were merged to form the Caledonia Fire Department Emergency and Rescue Service, which would later be known as the Caledonia Ambulance.

1979 - April 1 - The Fire Dept. was able to open J.W. Jones Hall which is a recreation hall and training center for the department. This was made possible by a very generous donation from John Wiley Jones.

1981 - The Caledonia Fire Department reorganized it's by-laws and elected a Board of Directors to take care of the financial matters and let the Chief and his Line Officers concentrate on firematic duties.

We will continue to update as we find more information.